SILK PROFILE

Charles Kimmins KC

UK Bar 2026

Twenty Essex

Ranked in 5 practice areas

Shipping & Commodities

London (Bar)

22 years ranked

International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance

London (Bar)

19 years ranked

Commercial Dispute Resolution

London (Bar)

16 years ranked

Insurance

London (Bar)

9 years ranked

Banking & Finance

London (Bar)

14 years ranked

About

Provided by Twenty Essex

UK Bar

Practice Areas

Charles is co-Head of Chambers. He specialises in commercial law and represents clients in both court and arbitration proceedings. His cases tend to be high value and complex, and often involve multiple sets of proceedings in several jurisdictions. He is recommended in a wide array of including international arbitration, commercial dispute resolution, banking and ﬁnancial, energy, insurance and reinsurance, shipping and commodities.

Career

Read a full summary of Charles' career on the Twenty Essex website

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Shipping & Commodities - London (Bar)

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Charles Kimmins KC is a respected silk with notable experience concerning charter parties, bills of lading and memoranda of agreement. He is known for his expertise across the full range of shipping and commodities issues. He has acted in a number of oil and gas disputes.

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International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance - London (Bar)

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Charles Kimmins KC is a formidable international arbitration counsel, concentrating on arbitrations under ICC, LMAA and HKIAC rules, as well as acting in ad hoc proceedings. He advocates before tribunals across the world, acting in arbitrations seated in London, Switzerland, New York and Paris. He has particular experience in the insurance and shipping fields, and offers expertise in private equity disputes. He is skilled at leading teams of barristers in multiple related arbitrations.

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Insurance - London (Bar)

Band 3

Individual Editorial

Charles Kimmins KC maintains a broad commercial litigation practice and has considerable expertise in insurance and reinsurance disputes. He is experienced in handling disputes arising in the finance and marine industries.

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Banking & Finance - London (Bar)

Band 4

Individual Editorial

Charles Kimmins KC acts for a wide array of financial corporations and investors in matters frequently involving fraud and derivative disputes. He has experience in cases concerning the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement and those relating to market manipulation allegations. Kimmins regularly lectures on the impact of landmark banking cases.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Charles is a safe pair of hands and really dwells on matters he is asked to consider. He approaches things realistically and with the overall strategy in mind.
Shipping & CommoditiesUK Bar
He is always on top of the facts and the law, and thinks hard about how the judge will think.
Shipping & CommoditiesUK Bar
He is excellent and very on top of the details.
Shipping & CommoditiesUK Bar
Charles Kimmins is a very tough opponent.
International Arbitration: General Commercial & InsuranceUK Bar
He is very responsive and always produces very helpful discussion notes in advance of calls.
Commercial Dispute ResolutionUK Bar
Charles has the respect of the bench and sufficient gravitas and judgement to convince a commercial court judge that he is right. He is also extremely good at listening to clients.
Commercial Dispute ResolutionUK Bar